Moon Rocks Weed: What are they?
If you’ve checked out an online dispensary menu, you might have come across something called “moon rocks” – sometimes called “marijuana moon rocks” or “moon rocks weed” – and wondered what they are and how to use them. Now, don’t be alarmed by their grubby looking appearance, because moon rocks are where it’s at when it comes to ultra-high THC. These little nugs get their name because they’ll get you so high you’ll feel like you are on the moon, and well because they look pretty out of this world.
But like a lot of cannabis innovations, they don’t exactly come with an instruction guide, so:
- How do you consume them?
- What are they made of?
- Are they really that potent?
- What are the effects?
- Are there any risks?
Well, consider this your how-to guide to adding moon rocks to your session. We’re here to answer some questions, so you can rest easy that you are adding moon rocks to your session in a way that will not only amplify your experience, but keep you coming back.
What are moon rocks?
When you think of moon rocks, you are probably thinking of those grey solid masses full of holes that come from space- actual moon rocks. And sure enough, cannabis moon rocks look pretty similar. They’re usually round, fuzzy little nuggets that look kind of funny (and fuzzy) – but trust me, they might look weird, but they’re a trip.
Before we get into the specifics of how to amp-up your experience, knowing how moon rocks first came to the mainstream is good to know. Cannabis has always been something that has inspired creativity. Creating new products beyond dried flower is nothing new. Just think of the budder,shatter, terp sauce, caviar and plenty of other innovations that exist to consume – moon rocks just take that to a new level.
That said, Moon rocks were created by West Coast rapper Kurupt and his grower buddy, Dr. Zodiak in the mid-2010s. When it comes to cannabis innovation, Kurupt nailed it with moon rocks and even went on to create his own brand.
Since then, these little nuggets have become culturally significant for the cannabis community, particularly with the West Coast hip-hop scene. You’ll find a lot of places calling them the “champagne” of cannabis, because they are a premium product.
How are moon rocks made?
Let’s be clear, moon rocks aren’t grown, they’re made. They are this divine combination of multiple cannabis forms rolled together to amplify your cannabis experience. Each part of the process adds an extra layer of potency, starting with a high quality bud at its core. Many users prefer to smoke moon rocks to experience their full potency.
So let’s dive into what the three-layer process looks like. First we take a high potency, tight nugget (originally Girl Scout Cookies, but works well with strains like Gorilla Glue).
Once you have your chosen bud, you dip it in hash oil until it’s completely coated. Hash oil not only adds its own layer of flavour, but boosts the potency of the flower and acts as a sticky glue for layer three.
Kief. Kief is like the icing on the cake. Also known as dry sift, or dust, this powerdery substance is basically a concentrated THC and flavour mecca. It is made up of all the trichomes that fall off the plant. It is loaded with terps and cannabinoids, so when the hash-coated nugged is rolled in this sticky stuff, you know you’re getting the good stuff.
Given the combination of cannabinoids found in all three layers of moon rocks, you get a flavourful boost to your session, a power-punch of THC and an enhanced entourage effect.
THC content and Potency of Moon Rocks
Moon rocks are notorious for their high THC levels. This is because they are more than just dried flower or extracts. They’re a mash-up of everything!
Just think about it: On average, dried flower has a potency of about 25%, hash oil can be up in the 60% range, and kief, the most potent of all, has a starting point of 50% and can be up as high as 80%!
So depending on the potency of cannabis flower and each input material, the result can truly be one of tone of the highest THC forms you can consume. Which, of course, means that if you’re new to moon rocks, keep reading for some tips on how to add them in to your sesh safely, because long-term use of high THC cannabis products like moon rocks is associated with an increased risk of mental health disorders, including the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions.
We’ll get to that later. For now, How do you consume a moon rock?
Do you smoke moon rocks?
When you order cannabis online, it can be difficult to get a good sense of what to do with the unique products. And, moon rocks are one of those products that usually come with more questions than answers. They are an enigma, existing in a niche of their own, which can sometimes lead to these little nuggets being overlooked. But don’t worry, consuming moon rocks is not overly complicated.
Because they are so dense, the best way to consume them is to use a bong or a pipe. This is due to being able to heat the nug at a higher temp, which activates the layers of THC. Your best bet is to use glassware when smoking moon rocks because they are very sticky and can be hard to clean – but that comes down to preference. Moon rocks are known for their slow burn, with the high beginning in the mind and then slowly spreading throughout the body, providing a long-lasting and intense experience.
Other ways to consume moon rocks – and probably less efficiently – are to grind it up and roll it into a joint. You can break a dense nugget apart and add it as a topper to your joint or blunt. But be warned that while this might seem like the easiest approach, you might risk uneven burning and not get the best results. And, we should probably remind you that moon rocks are dense and super sticky, so you will be gunking up your grinder.
Another way to consumer moon rocks, is to make edibles. Just grind them down, decarboxylate (heat it to a certain temp), and add it to a butter or oil before using it in your consumables.
Whichever way you choose to enjoy moon rocks, it’s important to have a sense of onset and effects.
How long do moon rocks take to kick in?
For an experienced cannabis user, adding some extra THC is probably not a big deal. But if you’re new to moon rocks, it’s important to be aware that they can be incredibly potent and pack a punch. Because of this, we recommend moon rocks for more experienced users.
As with all cannabis, several things can impact the effects that you feel, including your metabolism, what you’ve eaten that day, your tolerance levels, and of course, how you consume. It’s no different with moon rocks, except that they typically are heavy hitters right out the gate.
Having said that, similar to inhalation methods, if you smoke or vape moon rocks you’ll feel the impact pretty quick, usually within a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, if you’re adding your moon rocks to edibles, the onset can take a little longer – usually within the 30 minutes to two-hour range.
Like any time you consume a new cannabis product and aren’t sure of your tolerance levels or how you may react, you should start low and go slow. Don’t jump into over-consuming because you’re not feeling the effects as quickly as you want. You want to be prepared just in case you experience a stronger and longer-lasting high than with other cannabis. In saying that, if you are smoking or vaping, and it’s your first time, definitely take some time in between inhalations to see how your body is reacting.
Moon rocks are known for their high-THC and users have reported that the impact can last for several hours, and even into the next day. The effects of moon rocks gradually envelop the entire body, starting in the mind and spreading throughout, creating a deep, lasting impact.
What are the effects?
If you’re new to moon rocks, this section if for you. Knowing what you can expect is an important part of ensuring you have a safe experience, especially with a potent nug.
If you are adding moon rocks into the mix of your cannabis use, you should know that you are likely to experience more intense, psychoactive highs. This can increase the risk of adverse effects such as anxiety and psychosis. When this happens, it is not uncommon to have heightened senses, time perception, and other common side effects like:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Sleepiness
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Increased heart rate
- Dry eyes and mouth
Moon rocks pose several health risks, especially for individuals who are new to cannabis or have a low THC tolerance. The health effects of cannabis, particularly in light of its association with psychiatric and neurological issues, are significant and warrant further investigation.
Additionally, regular use of high-potency cannabis products like moon rocks can lead to the development of tolerance, requiring increasingly larger amounts to achieve the same effects, and potentially escalating to dependence. This can have a complex impact on mental health, including both risks such as exacerbation of psychiatric disorders and benefits for conditions like anxiety and depression.
Tips for your first moon rock sesh
By now, it should come as no surprise that moon rocks are pretty strong. They’re dense little nuggets made with three different layers of high-THC cannabis. If you’re considering giving them a try – especially for the first time – you should carve out a good chunk of time, and make yourself comfortable.
Here are some tips for having a safe, and enjoyable experience when trying moon rocks for the first time: Remember to consider your mental health, as high THC products can have complex effects on mental well-being, including potential risks and benefits.
Food. Eating before you consume moon rocks is going to moderate – or lessen – the effects of the THC levels. Bonus: eating before helps ward off those eventual munchies.
Water. Drink lots of water before, during, and after your sesh. Water will help curb the dry mouth and make your experience more comfortable.
Safe space. If you’re at all hesitant about what your reaction will be when you try moon rocks, be sure to be in a safe, familiar place for your first session. Give yourself the chance to chill if you need it.
Low and slow. Don’t dive into the deep end with moon rocks. If you’re smoking or vaping, go slow and check in with yourself between each inhalation. If you’re consuming edibles, also go slow. Edibles take longer to hit, so you’ll want to curb how you eat your first one to better gauge your reaction.
What’s next?
If you’re looking to give moon rocks a try, but have questions, reach out to your favourite online cannabis dispensary and ask your questions.
